A cut above

She cuts each color of paper as a layer, and then pastes the layers together to form the image. Each of her works is made of dozens of layers, and each layer is made using only one sweeping cut without stopping.

Not only that, but the paper she uses for cutting is tailored for each specific piece. "For example, when I wanted to create some works to show the grottoes in Dunhuang, Gansu province, I used thick paper to show that the place is laden with history, as normal paper would not have the desired effect."

On the other hand, her works depicting people always employ many layers, which require each layer to be thin enough to be pasted together and still look natural.

Since Li's works are often sold to private collectors or as gifts, the paper is also made to last so that the colors will not fade.